Biological surveys in the Sor Rondane Mountains, Dronning Maud Land, in 1989 and 1990 seasons

Abstract

From 1986 to 1990,a survey of terrestrial biology was carried out as one of the main projects of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, corresponding to the international BIOTAS program. The terrestrial ecology was studied by wintering personnel during the first three years. For this research the SSSI of the Yukidori Valley was used as a main research field. Since the main research activities at that time were already reported by H. KANDA et al. (Nankyoku Shiryo, 34,76,1990), the present report deals with the research activities conducted in the Sor Rondane Mountains, Dronning Maud Land, during the last two summer seasons. The 1989 survey was made in the western part of the Mountains by means of snow vehicles, and the 1990 survey covered the entire area of the Mountains by using helicopters. Lichens were widely distributed in the Mountains, but well-developed communities of mosses and algae were restricted to the western part of the Mountains. One springtail and several mite species were also found in these western areas and Mefjell which is located in the central part of the Mountains.